Google Playing Hoaxes and Practical Jokes

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Interesting to see the technology giant that is Google managing to take itself less seriously and even playful at times by making fun of their more “gullible” users!

Who said their taking over the world master plan can’t be done with a smile on your face!

Over time there were a series of hoaxes, April fool’s pranks and practical jokes that Google played on the world showing most of all a human side of the company.

It’s sort of a geeky humor, of course, and that’s what makes it honest. There’s no PR campaign behind it, it’s just your average Google geek having fun at work!

And people that are happy and feeling comfortable at work will always give a higher performance and generate better ideas! I guess this has aways been one of the secrets of Google.

But let’s get back to the fun and games part.

Google Search easter eggs

An easter egg is a hidden messages or features that not everyone is aware of.
Type on the Google Search page these words:

1. “do a barrel roll” or “z or r twice” 
   Type in “do a barrel roll” or “z or r twice” on Google Search and you will see a very cool page effect.
   You may get that same effect in here by clicking the next link: Vectorash Barrel Roll ( please use a decent browser and version )
2. “tilt” or “askew”
   Similar to the previous one, this will “tilt” your page.
3. “let it snow”
   Start feeling the holiday spirit. If it gets too cold, close the window.
4. “anagram”
   Type in “anagram” to get a special “suggestion”.
5. “recursion”
   This is for the computer geek in you. Typing “recursion” will cause Google to repeat the same: “Did you mean recursion” text each time in an infinite loop, well a.. recursion.
6. “ascii art”
   Type in “ascii art” and check out the Google logo in the top left side.
7. “loneliest number” – calculator
   Type in “loneliest number” or “number of horns on a unicorn” and check out what Google thinks. A cool one is also: the answer to life the universe and everything
   Also type in any number operation, from 2+2 to 678*12379 or whatever and Google will calculate that for you ;)
8. “I’m feeling lucky” searches.
   For this you will need to press the “I’m feeling lucky” button. Some people might have to go to Search Settings (top right of your screen: Options – Search Settings and select “Do not use Google Instant”) or use the normal search and just select the first answer Google will return.
   • – Type in: “Find Chuck Norris” – and you will understand why not to do that again!
   • – Other cool tricks you get from typing: “Google gravity“, “Google Loco” or “Epic Google“.

“Special” features

Over the years Google had some special “sociable and nice” features and products announcements for very “special” people:

The MentalPlex – Google can read your mind!

Back in 2000 Google launched the MentalPlex project. Concentrate at what you want to search for and just by thinking at it Google will return those search results to you. You may still try it even today.

PigeonRank

In 2002 Google finally reveals the technology behind its revolutionary PageRank Systems, the PigeonRank. Check it
out to see one of their biggest secrets revealed!

Google Copernicus Center is hiring

Google released in 2004 a job opportunity for a research center on the new hosting and research center called Luna/X located on the.. moon. Yeah Google is now taking over the entire Universe! Be part of that as you may still apply for this position here.

Google Gulp – Quench your thirst for knowledge.

A drink “designed to maximize your surfing efficiency by making you more intelligent“. It comes with “auto-drink” and 4 great flavors:

• - Glutamate Grape (glutamic acid),
• - Sugar-Free Radical (free radicals),
• - Beta Carroty (beta carotene)
• - Sero-Tonic Water (serotonin).

The beverage can only be obtained by returning the cap of a Google Gulp bottle to a local grocery store.

Google Romance

“Love is just another search problem”. Solve it with “Google Romance“. Released in 2006 the service was offering a “Soulmate Search”. In case you are still searching, find your true love with Google Romance!

Google TiSP (Toilet Internet Service Provider)

A free broadband service released by Google in 2007 that comes straight from your.. toilet!

The service would make use of a standard toilet and sewage lines to provide free Internet connectivity. But it has to be a working toilet! If you don’t want to pay for Internet anymore just install Google TiSP.

gDay

Google announces the gDay event that will happen in Australia. It’s a new beta search technology that will search web pages 24 hours before they are even created! That’s a pretty cool trick, I’m already wondering what my future post will be ;)

Gmail Custom Time

This service will allow GMail users to send emails to the past using  an “e-flux capacitor“. Manipulate time now with this revolutionary Gmail tool.

Google Wake Up Kit

In 2008 Google announced a new service for their calendar, the “Wake Up Kit“. If you can’t wake up in the morning, Google has the solution: from an SMS message to your phone to a bucket full of water or a bed-flipping device!

GBall

Google Australia launched the GBall that “will change Australian rules football as we know it” with GPS and motion sensors, advanced analytics and tutorials for kickers.

The most important features of Gball:

- Kicks are automatically measured using special in-built equipment

- Getting personalised online kicking tips and suggestions, based on previous kicking data

- gBall vibrates if player agents or talent scouts want to speak to you

- Finding your lost gBall online with the help of Google Maps

Get your own GBall now!

Google Chrome with 3D

Google’s artificial intelligence project: Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed-Intelligence Entity (short CADIE) has released an amazing new Chrome browser enabling 3D browsing with special printed 3D glasses. Experience the full power of the web with the new Chrome 3D.

Store anything on Google Docs!

In 2010 Google made an announcement that on Google Docs users will have the ability to upload anything, including physical objects like keys, remote controls or… grand pianos!

Find your keys just by clicking “CTRL + F” with this revolutionary Google Docs project.

Google translate for animals!

“Bridging the gap between animals and humans”, an Android service that finally allows mankind to communicate with animals. See what your pet is really saying with Google translate for animals.

A small video presenting this service here:

Gmail Motion

Based on your webcam and Google’s patented spatial tracking technology to detect movements you may now control Gmail with your body. You will no longer need a keyboard and a mouse!  Try now the Gmail Motion experiment.

For your lazy bones out there, the small video presentation:

Also the feature will be implemented on Google Docs as well, you may see a preview here.

Google Pac-Man

A mini version of the famous Pac-Man game was created as an animated logo for 30th anniversary on the game. So if feel like go ahead and play Pac-Man on Google.

Google Autocompleter Job

I bet you had no idea that behind every auto completed sentence on Google Search there’s an actual person doing that for you.  Google is hiring for their new autocompleter positions. An employee currently working as an “Autocompleter” and previously employed as a “Spell Checker” explains this job:

Google Map 8-bit April Fools’ Prank

All you have to do is go to Google Maps and you’ll see a “Start Your Quest” box on your right side. Of course Your system may not meet the minumum requirements for 8-bit computations. :))

Shoot the bear!

And I’d like to end this with this very cool marketing trick. It’s not made by Google but it’s made on a partnership between YouTube and Tipp-Ex® (a correcting paste brand).

Well that’s about it. This is just a selection of Google‘s hoaxes and practical jokes they played over the years.

Curious to see what they’ll come up with next!